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Abstract:

A wireless communication system comprising first and second transceivers.
The first transceiver communicate with a base station, wherein the base
station communicates with the first transceiver and a plurality of other
wireless communication devices according to a wide area wireless
communication protocol. The second transceiver is coupled to the first
transceiver and communicates with a first mobile station, wherein the
second transceiver communicates with the first mobile station according
to a local area wireless communication protocol. The first transceiver
receives from the base station a first downlink signal intended for the
first mobile station and transmits the first downlink signal to the
second transceiver. The second transceiver re-transmits the first
downlink signal to the first mobile station as a second downlink signal
according to the local area wireless communication protocol.

Claims:

1. A wireless communication device, comprising: a first wireless
transceiver operable to communicate with a base station, wherein the base
station communicates with the first wireless transceiver and a plurality
of other wireless communication devices according to a wide area wireless
communication protocol; and a second wireless transceiver coupled to the
first wireless transceiver and operable to directly communicate with a
first mobile station and a second mobile station, wherein the second
wireless transceiver communicates with the first mobile station and the
second mobile station according to a local area wireless communication
protocol, wherein the first wireless transceiver receives from the base
station a first downlink signal intended for the first mobile station and
transmits provides the first downlink signal to the second wireless
transceiver and wherein the second wireless transceiver receives the
first downlink signal and re-transmits the first downlink signal to the
first mobile station as a second downlink signal according to the local
area wireless communication protocol, and wherein the second transceiver
monitors first signal characteristics of the first mobile station and
monitors second signal characteristics of the second mobile station, and
based on the first signal characteristics and the second characteristics,
routes information to the first mobile station and the second mobile
station, respectively.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the second
wireless transceiver is coupled to the first wireless transceiver by a
wireline connection.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the second
wireless transceiver is removably coupled to the first wireless
transceiver.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first
wireless transceiver and second transceivers wireless transceiver are
disposed in a fixed site subscriber station.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first
wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver are part of an
integrated device.

[0021] The above applications are commonly assigned to the assignee of the
present application. The disclosures of these related patent applications
may share common subject matter and figures and are hereby incorporated
by reference herein in their entireties.

[0022] The present invention relates generally to a manner by which to
provide mobile communications in a fixed wireless access (FWA)
communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to
apparatus, and an associated method, for providing WLAN (wireless local
area network) service at a subscriber station of the fixed wireless
access communication system. Mobile stations operation in the WLAN are
thereby able to communicate in the WLAN coverage area encompassing the
subscriber station. When WLAN service is provided to a plurality of
fixed-site subscriber stations, cellular coverage areas are formed,
between which handover of communications are permitted all by way of the
fixed wireless access communication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Advancements in communication technologies have permitted the
development, and implementation, of new types of communication systems.
Such communication systems are able to permit the communication of
increased amounts of data at increased thruput rates relative to
conventional communication systems. And, such new communication systems
have permitted communication of information at, and between,
communication stations positioned at locations from which communications
have conventionally been inconvenient or impractical.

[0024] Radio communication systems, for instance, are exemplarily of
communication systems of which new types, and improvements to existing
types, have been made possible as a result of advancements in
communication technologies. Similar to other types of communication
systems, in a radio communication system, information is communicated
between a sending station and a receiving station by way of a
communication channel. In a radio communication system, unlike other
types of communication systems, a communication channel formed between
the sending and the receiving stations and upon which information is
communicated by the sending station to the receiving station, is formed
of a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio links are defined
upon the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum allocated to the radio
communication system.

[0025] Because a radio link is utilized upon which to form communication
channels, a fixed, or wireline, connection is not required to be formed
between the sending and receiving stations to form a communication
channel. Information can be communicated between the sending and
receiving stations at, and between, locations at which conventional
wireline communications would not be permitted. Additionally, the
infrastructure costs associated with the installation of a radio
communication system are also generally lower than the corresponding
costs which would be required to install a conventional, wireline
communication system. And, as the advancements in communication
technologies have permitted the bandwidth allocated to a radio
communication system to be utilized more efficiently, a radio
communication can increasingly be utilized effectuate a communication
service which require relatively significant data thruput capability.

[0026] A wireless broadband communication system has been proposed, for
instance, by which to permit the effectuation of any of various
communication services by way of radio links with fixed-site subscriber
stations. Radio links are formed with the subscriber stations by
fixed-site base stations. The base stations are installed at spaced-apart
locations throughout the geographical area which is to be encompassed by
the wireless broadband communication system. Several subscriber stations
are capable of communicating with a single base station.

[0027] Communication of data is effectuated between the subscriber
stations and an associated base station by way of radio links upon which
communication channels are defined. Because radio links are utilized
between the subscriber stations and the base stations, the infrastructure
costs associated with the formation of wireline connections between the
subscriber stations are obviated. Broadband communications, and
communication services which require the communication of broadband data,
as well as communication services necessitating smaller data thruput
rates are effectuable through use of the wireless broadband communication
system.

[0028] Advancements in communication technologies have also permitted the
development, and introduction, of other types of radio communication
systems. Wireless communication systems, sometimes referred to as
micro-cellular networks, private networks, and WLANs (wireless local area
networks) are exemplary of such systems. Such networks, generally,
provide for radio communications with mobile stations positioned within
communication range of such networks.

[0029] Generally, the communication ranges of the mobile stations operable
in such systems is relatively small as relatively low-power signals are
originated at the mobile stations and, correspondingly, originated at the
network infrastructure of such systems to be terminated at the mobile
stations. The network infrastructure of such systems typically include
fixed-location transceivers, sometimes referred to as access points. The
access points are capable of communicating with a group of mobile
stations positioned within a micro-cellular, or other, area defined by
the access point. In some of such systems, the access points are coupled
to a conventional, local area network, also used to interconnect the
processing stations of an office computer system. In other such systems,
the access points are connected in other manners.

[0030] Installation of a wireless broadband communication system to
provide broadband services with a plurality of subscriber stations
provides a radio infrastructure throughout a geographical area throughout
which wireless broadband communication services are effectuable. If a
manner could be provided by which to utilize the communication
capabilities of a wireless broadband communication system to provide
additional communication services, additional benefits of a wireless
broadband communication system would be provided.

[0031] It is in light of this background information related to radio
communication systems that the significant improvements of the present
invention have evolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention, accordingly, advantageously provides
apparatus, and an associated method, by which to provide mobile
communications in a fixed wireless access (FWA) communication system.

[0033] Through operation of an embodiment of the present invention, WLAN
(wireless local area network) service is provided to a subscriber station
of the fixed wireless access communication system. Mobile stations within
communication range of the subscriber station, and operable in the WLAN,
are able to communicate by way of the WLAN. By providing WLAN service to
a plurality of subscriber stations and thereafter providing integrated
control over WLAN communications, handover of communications with a
mobile station is provided as the mobile station travels between coverage
areas formed at separate ones of the subscriber stations.

[0034] In one aspect of the present invention, a WLAN transceiver, such as
an access point, is installed at a subscriber station of a fixed wireless
access communication system. A WLAN transceiver provides localized radio
communications throughout a coverage area defined by the communication
range of the WLAN transceiver and mobile stations with which WLAN
transceiver communications. More than one WLAN transceiver is
positionable at the subscriber station, as appropriate. Radio
communications between a mobile station and the WLAN transceiver provide
for two-way communications with the mobile station.

[0035] In another aspect of the present invention, the WLAN transceiver
positioned at the subscriber station is, in turn, coupled by way of a
radio link with a base station of the fixed wireless access communication
system. Information originated at a mobile station is communicated by way
of a local radio link to the WLAN transceiver. The WLAN transceiver, in
turn, is coupled to a transceiver station, such as an IAD (integrated
access device), located at the subscriber station and operable in the
fixed wireless access communication system. The integrated access device,
or other subscriber-station transceiver, in turn, communicates the
information originated at the mobile station to the base station of the
fixed wireless access system. Thereafter, the information is forwarded,
as appropriate, to a destination. Analogously, information originated at,
or provided to, a base station operable in the fixed wireless access
communication system and which is to be terminated at the mobile station
is communicated by the base station to the integrated access device, or
other subscriber-station transceiver. Subsequent to reception thereat,
the information is forwarded to the WLAN transceiver to be transmitted
therefrom by way of the local radio link through the mobile station.
Thereby, communication is effectuable between mobile station and the base
station of the fixed wireless access communication system.

[0036] In another aspect of the present invention, the WLAN transceivers
are installed at a plurality of subscriber stations such that the
coverage areas of the separately-installed transceivers at least
partially overlap. Integrated control over operation of the WLAN
transceivers is provided at the network of the fixed wireless access
communication system. Mobile stations which travel between coverage areas
defined by different ones of the WLAN transceivers are permitted
continued communication by way of local radio links by handing over
communications between WLAN transceivers. Ongoing communication sessions
with the mobile station continue in spite of handover of communications
between the WLAN transceivers.

[0037] In another aspect of the present invention, a routing map is
maintained at a location coupled to, or integrated within, the fixed
wireless access communication system. The routing map maintains a listing
of the location of mobile stations operable to communicate by way of
local radio links with WLAN transceivers positioned at different ones of
the subscriber stations of the fixed wireless access communication
system. The locations at which the mobile stations are positioned are
updated, as needed, as a mobile station travels between coverage areas
defined by different ones of the WLAN transceivers. When information is
to be communicated to a particular mobile station, the routing map is
accessed to retrieve indications of the location at which the mobile
station at which the information is to be terminated is positioned.
Through use of the indications retrieved from the routing map, the
information which is to be communicated to the mobile station is able to
be most efficiently routed to the mobile station.

[0038] In another aspect of the present invention, when a handover of
communications is effectuated, the routing map is updated, and
information routed to the mobile by way of a WLAN transceiver from which
a handover of communication is effectuated, but not yet delivered to the
mobile station, is retrieved and then re-routed to the mobile station by
way of the mobile station to which communications have been handed over.

[0039] In these and other aspects, therefor, apparatus, and an associated
method, is provided for a fixed wireless access communication system. The
fixed wireless access communication system has at least a first
fixed-site base station and at least a first fixed-site subscriber
station capable of communicating with the first fixed-site base station.
Radio communication with a mobile station is facilitated. A first
local-network radio transceiver is positioned at the at least first
fixed-site subscriber station. The first local-network radio transceiver
selectably transceives communication signals with the mobile station upon
a first local radio link formed between the first local-network radio
transceiver and the mobile station when the mobile station is positioned
within a selected range of the first fixed-site subscriber station.

[0040] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and to the
scope thereof can be obtained from the accompanying drawings which are
briefly summarized below, the following detailed description of the
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention, and the appended
claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a fixed wireless
access (FWA) communication system in which an embodiment of the present
invention is operable.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a representation of a fixed wireless access
communication system similar to that shown in FIG. 1 here also
illustrating a plurality of cellular coverage areas defined by about a
plurality of subscriber stations of the fixed wireless access
communication system.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates another representation of the fixed wireless
access communication system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a method flow diagram listing the method of
operation of the method of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] A fixed wireless access (FWA) communication system 10 provides for
radio communications between fixed-site base stations, of which the base
station 12 is exemplary and fixed-site subscriber stations 14 of which
the subscriber station 14 is exemplary. A radio link 16 upon which
forward link channels 18 and reverse link channels 22 is of a bandwidth
permitting broadband communication services to be effectuated with
devices located at the subscriber station 14.

[0046] In the exemplary implementation, an integrated access device (IAD)
24 forms a transceiver located at the subscriber station and at which
forward link signals transmitted upon the forward link channels of the
radio link are detectable and which generate reverse link signals for
transmission upon the reverse link channels of the radio link. A separate
IAD 24 is located at each subscriber station of the communication system.

[0047] In the exemplary implementation, each base transceiver station
includes a remote modem (modulator-demodulator) capable of communicating
with seven separate subscriber stations located within a radial sector.
In other implementations, the circuitry of the base transceiver station
is configured in other manners.

[0048] The base station 12, and the set of remote modems thereof, is
coupled to an access process 28 which is operable, amongst other things,
to perform control operations to control operation of the communication
system. The access process 28 is, in turn, coupled to a communication
network 32 such as a public-switched telephonic network or a packet data
network. And, a correspondent node 34 is coupled to the communication
network. A communication path is formable between the correspondent node
and the IAD 24 positioned at the subscriber station by way of the
communication network, the access process 28, the base station 12, and
the radio link 16. Communication of information by the correspondent node
to the integrated access device and from the integrated access device to
the correspondent node is effectuable by way of the communication path.

[0049] Pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention, a WLAN
(wireless local area network) transceiver 38 is positioned at the
subscriber station 14 at the integrated access device 24 to be connected
to the transceiver circuitry of the integrated access device. The WLAN
transceiver defines a coverage area 42 defining a cell. A mobile station
44 positioned within the cell 42 is capable of communicating with the
transceiver 38. That is to say, the radio link 46 is formable between the
transceiver 38 and the mobile station 44 upon which forward and reverse
link signals are communicated therebetween. Signals originated at the
mobile station are communicated upon reverse link channels of the radio
link 46 to the WLAN transceiver 38. And, communication signals to be
terminated at the mobile station 44 are communicated upon forward link
channels of the radio link 46.

[0050] Because of the connection of the WLAN transceiver to the
transceiver of the integrated access device 24, signals originated at the
mobile station and communicated to the WLAN transceiver can, in turn, be
provided to the transceiver of the integrated access device to be
communicated upon reverse link channels of the radio link 16 and,
thereafter, be communicated to another device, such as the correspondent
node 34. Analogously, signals originated at the correspondent node, or
elsewhere, can be communicated to the mobile station by way of forward
link channels of the radio links 16 and 46 to the mobile station. Thereby
communications are effectuable with a mobile station in the fixed
wireless access communication system.

[0051] In the exemplary implementation, the integrated access device 24
forms a rack-assembly having expansion slots to receive expansion cards
thereat. And, the WLAN transceiver is mounted upon, or is otherwise
formed at, an expansion card connectable to the expansion slot of the
rack-assembly. Thereby the integrated access device together with the
WLAN transceiver form an integrated device providing for two-way
communication upon the radio link 16 as well as two-way communication
upon the radio link 46.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates another view of the communication system 10,
here illustrating an implementation in which a plurality of subscriber
stations 14 include WLAN transceivers 36 (shown in FIG. 1) connected to
corresponding integrated access devices 24 (also shown in FIG. 1). The
coverage areas 42 defined by respective ones of the WLAN transceivers are
shown in the figure. Adjacent ones of the coverage areas over lap with
one another. The remote modes of the base transceivers are again shown in
the Figure as is the access process. An arrangement in which the remote
modems communicate with subscriber stations positioned within a radio
sector is shown in the figure. In other implementations, other
arrangements are utilized.

[0053] A mobile station initially positioned within, or approximate to, a
coverage area 42 defined by a WLAN transceiver positioned at a first
subscriber station is permitted movement, such as out of the coverage
area defined by the transceiver positioned at a first subscriber station
and into the coverage area defined by a WLAN transceiver of another
subscriber station. Through operation of an embodiment of the present
invention, a handover of communications is effectuated from the first
WLAN transceiver to another WLAN transceiver, thereby to permit continued
communications with the mobile station.

[0054] Determination of when to initiate handover of communications is
made responsive to measurements of signal characteristics of
communication signals communicated between the WLAN transceiver and the
mobile station. In one implementation signal characteristics are
measured, or otherwise determined, at the mobile station and results of
such measures or determinations of are reported back to the WLAN
transceiver and appropriate control circuitry. Thereafter, if
appropriate, the handover of communications is effectuated.

[0055] A routing map 52 is further shown in the figure. The routing map is
functionally connected to the access process 28. The routing map includes
a listing of the mobile stations, such as the mobile station 46 operable
to transceive communication signals pursuant to the WLAN service. Indexed
together with the listing the mobile stations are the locations at which
the mobile stations are positioned. When communications are to be
effectuated with a particular mobile station, such as communications
originated by the correspondent node 34, the routing map is accessed and
the communication signals are routed to the mobile stations at the
position indicated in the routing map. And, when a handover is
effectuated, information routed to a mobile station but not yet delivered
is rerouted to the WLAN transceiver to which communications have been
handed over.

[0056] FIG. 3 again illustrates the communication system 10, here showing
a plurality of base stations 12 and subscriber stations 14 associated
with various ones of the base stations. Each of the subscriber stations
includes a WLAN transceiver (shown in FIG. 1) various of the base
transceiver stations are here shown also to be coupled by way of the
communication network 32, again either a PSTN, a packet data network, or
a combination of such networks. Movement of a mobile station between the
coverage areas is defined by different ones of the subscriber stations
are shown in the figure. For instance, movement of a mobile station
indicated by the arrow 56 represents movement of the mobile station
between subscriber stations associated with separate cells of separate
base stations. Such movement results in access process routing of
subsequent communication signals to a new cell of the fixed wireless
access communication system, access process routing to a separate remote
mode sector, and remote modem routing to a new subscriber integrated
access device. The arrow 58 is representative of movement of a mobile
station within a single sector of a single base station. Here, the result
is a subscriber integrated access device to a remote modem routing
change.

[0057] The arrow 62 is representative of movement of a mobile station
between adjacent sectors defined by a single base station. Such movement
results in access process routing of the communication signal to the new
remote modem sector transceiver. And, the arrow 64 is representative of
movement of a mobile station between sectors of different cells defined
by two different base stations. Such movement results in access process
to access process routing resolution, access processing routing to the
new cell, access process routing to the new remote modem sector, and
remote modem routing to the new subscriber access integrated device.
Thereby, handovers of communications are effectuable through any movement
of a mobile station between coverage areas defined by WLAN transceivers
forming a portion of a fixed wireless access communication system.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a method, shown generally at 72 of an embodiment
of the present invention. The method facilitates radio communications
with the mobile station in a fixed wireless access communication system
having at least a first base station and at least a first subscriber
station capable of communicating with the base station. First, and as
indicated by the block 74, a local-network radio transceiver is
positioned at the fixed-site subscriber station. Then, and as indicated
by the block 76, communication signals are selectably transceived with
the mobile station upon a first local radio link between the
local-network radio transceiver and a mobile station when the mobile
station is positioned within a coverage area defined by the local-network
radio transceiver.

[0059] Through operation of the method of an embodiment of the present
invention, WLAN service is provided in a fixed wireless access in a
communication system. A mobile station operable in a wireless local area
network is thereby able to communicate in the WLAN coverage area
encompassing the subscriber station at which the local-network radio
transceiver is positioned.

[0060] The previous descriptions are of preferred examples for
implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not
necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present
invention is defined by the following claims.

Patent applications by Paul F. Struhsaker, Plano, TX US

Patent applications in class Contiguous regions interconnected by a local area network

Patent applications in all subclasses Contiguous regions interconnected by a local area network